Abhidhamma Piṭaka

rūpa (matter, material form)

English · sourceSinhala translation · pending
RefsDhs 596; Vibh 1
Page details
Pali
rūpa
English
matter; material form; material phenomenon
Type
glossary
Last updated
2026-04-17

Definition: In Abhidhamma analysis, rūpa is the material side of conditioned experience. The canonical definition is the four great elements together with matter derived from them (Dhs 596).

Stub: pilot. This stub marks the core Abhidhamma definition; later passes can expand the standard later enumeration of material phenomena with more detailed canonical mapping.

Related concepts

  • citta — the mental counterpart most often contrasted with material dhammas
  • paramattha — later Theravāda grouping that gathers rūpa among the ultimate categories

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